Red Sox's Rafael Devers Reveals Potential Reason for Historically Bad Start

Devers spoke to reporters following Monday's loss through his interpreter, and may have revealed the reason for the slump:

“I never change the way that I hit. I’m still aggressive. I’ve always been like that,” Devers said (h/t NESN). “Maybe I’m thinking too much at the plate, what the pitcher might throw or not. Otherwise, I feel good.”

Moreover, Devers noted that he needs to get used to being a DH for the Red Sox.

"Obviously this is not a position that I've done in the past," Devers added (h/t ESPN). "So I need to get used to it. But I feel good, I feel good."

It is common knowledge that Devers is prone to striking out frequently. In 2021 and 2024, he struck out north of 140 times, but Boston can live with that if he is hitting for power and driving in runs or, at this point, just getting singles and getting on base.

Manager Alex Cora has decided to focus on the positives of the situation, like any good leader would, when someone is struggling. Cora encouraged Devers to keep swinging at pitches in the strike zone and not chasing. 

The issue is that Devers is swinging at many pitches in the zone, and swinging and missing are big factors in this slump.